The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under pressure on Monday as renewed US–Iran tensions and a sharp rise in global oil prices triggered profit-taking and cautious trading among investors.
According to Beyond Time News, the market turned negative after a strong previous session, as investors reacted to rising geopolitical uncertainty.
KSE-100 Index Closes Lower
The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 172,196.7 points, losing 1,742.31 points or 1% compared to the previous close of 173,939.01.
During the trading session, the index showed high volatility. It touched an intraday high of 174,523.76 (up 584.75 points) but also fell to a low of 169,226.56 (down 4,712.45 points).
Investor Sentiment Turns Cautious
Market analysts said selling pressure increased due to growing concerns over US–Iran tensions and uncertainty surrounding diplomatic talks.
According to Beyond Time News, analysts noted that investors preferred to reduce exposure as global conditions became unstable.
Ahsan Mehanti, CEO of Arif Habib Commodities, said the bearish trend was driven by multiple factors, including rising government bond yields, weakness in global equities, and a surge in crude oil prices.
Uncertainty Over US–Iran Talks
Investor sentiment was further affected by reports that Iran has no immediate plans for a second round of talks with the United States.
According to Beyond Time News, Iranian officials also indicated that certain conditions, including the lifting of restrictions, are linked to any future negotiations.
This uncertainty has added pressure on global markets, including Pakistan’s equity market.
Oil Prices Surge as Iran–US Tensions Shake Global Markets
Oil Prices Jump Sharply
Global oil prices rose sharply amid tensions in the Middle East. Reports of renewed restrictions in key shipping routes and rising geopolitical risks pushed crude prices higher.
Brent crude gained more than 6%, while WTI surged over 7% at one point during the session.
According to Beyond Time News, concerns over supply disruptions played a key role in the price increase.
From Strong Gains to Sharp Decline
The latest decline came just one session after a strong rally. On Friday, the PSX had surged by 4,027.06 points, closing at 173,939.01.
That earlier gain reflected positive investor sentiment, but the momentum quickly reversed due to global developments and rising uncertainty.
Final Summary
The PSX ended lower as investors reacted to geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices. According to Beyond Time News, market volatility is expected to continue as global developments around US–Iran relations and energy prices remain uncertain.
